Pope Francis: The Contradictory Pontiff

Learn about Pope Francis and what separates him from popes in the past.

No Thanks, I’ll Take the Bus

As archbishop, Pope Francis chose to live in a humble apartment rather than the archbishop’s palace. He took the bus to work instead of a limousine and cooked his own meals.

He shows no sign of changing his humble and frugal ways as the Vicar of Christ. On his first day as pope, he paid his bill at the Vatican hotel and carried his own luggage. He wears a simple white cassock, a modest crucifix and eschews the Vatican limousine in favor of an ordinary car.